Help Duke and friends find their forever home

A disabled bullock whose story touched hearts worldwide after being rescued by a North Yorkshire sanctuary is at risk of being homeless by summer.

Duke Bullock hit the headlines when he was rescued by Sharon Lawlor who runs CALF animal sanctuary, near Malton.

We are in a very serious position right now, with very little time

Sharon Lawlor

Born a dwarf and left unable to walk due to an injury, Duke was destined to die until Sharon took him in and nursed him back to health.

Although he will always be disabled Duke now has a very happy life, with a specially-made shelter with built-in lifting hoist, plus a ‘wheel chair’ to help him stand and walk in his field.

His happy ending, though, could now been shattered.

Sharon received news at Christmas time that the lease on the house and land where the CALF animals and her family live will not be renewed in July.

They now have just a few months to find a new home for Duke, who needs constant care, his BFF Kevin the Lamb, five more cows, 30 sheep, five pigs, 12 chickens, three turkeys, four goats – and the human family too.

Sharon said: “We’ve had a real rollercoaster year, but the letter about our lease not being renewed was a bolt from the blue just before Christmas.

“We’ve searched high and low for a suitable, alternative smallholding, but with no joy.

“Ideally, for long term security we need to buy our own permanent sanctuary, that CALF can call home.

“We’d like a home we can open up to the public to come and visit and get involved in, have accommodation where people can stay, and the potential to open a café and shop so that the sanctuary can be self-sufficient. “That’s the dream – which we now have just a few short months to realise.

“We’re doing everything we can, putting all our savings in, and selling our assets, but we need help – so we’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign.

“It seems like we’ve a big mountain to climb very quickly but I do know there are many people who value the lives of animals and the work we do – and we really do need their help now.

“If people can help, however they can, giving what they are able to, fundraising, spreading the word it will all help. Please become part of helping Duke and CALF have a safe, happy, permanent home.

“We are in a very serious position right now, with very little time.

“Failure to find a new home would bring unthinkable consequences for the animals in our care, especially for Duke with his specials needs, which makes it near-impossible to re-home him.

“It would absolutely break my heart to lose Duke.”

You can become part of Duke’s new forever home by supporting CALF at https://chuffed.org/project/dukes-place-called-home

You can also follow his progress and get in touch with Duke on his Facebook page